Sanitary installation

ABSTRACT

A sanitary installation comprising a sanitary object in the form of a WC and a flushing apparatus which can be actuated by a control device with at least one assigned sensor device for automatic flushing as a function of at least one sensor information item, wherein the control device is configured to determine the position of a user or of a body part of the user relative to the WC over time on the basis of the sensor information and to actuate the flushing process with a variable quantity of flushing water as a function of the position progression plotted over time.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority of DE 10 2020 108 234.7, filed Mar. 25, 2020, the priority of this application is hereby claimed, and this application is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a sanitary installation comprising a sanitary object in the form of a WC and to a flushing apparatus which can be actuated by means of a control device with at least one assigned sensor device for automatically flushing as a function of at least one sensor information item.

Modern sanitary installations increasingly provide means for automatic flushing, that is to say the user no longer has to flush himself but rather this is done automatically by means of a control device and a flushing apparatus which can be actuated by means of said device. A sensor device is provided which is assigned to the control device and which acquires sensor information, on the basis of which the control device can determine whether a flushing process is to be started and, if flushing is not carried out with just one flushing quantity, also to determine whether, for example, flushing has to be carried out with a small or large quantity of flushing water. Such a sensor device usually permits just one time-based control operation, that is to say the sensor device senses how long a person sits, for example, on the WC or position-related flushing takes place by checking whether the user is seated or standing, that is to say depending on where they are positioned. For time-based control, a sensor, for example a capacitive sensor, can be integrated, for example, in a WC seat and used to sense when the user has sat down on the seat and when he stands up again. For control which is related to the area in which the user is positioned it is possible, for example, to use a proximity sensor which senses how near a user is to the WC.

In this way it is basically possible to sense that use is taking place, but this does not permit a more differentiated distinction to be made between the possible types of use (miction when standing, miction when sitting or defecation). Therefore, incorrect decisions can often occur, for example when the user is seated for longer than necessary, for example because he is reading, even if he has only urinated. If flushing with different quantities of flushing water is provided in such a case, owing to the long sitting period it is assumed that flushing is to be carried out with a large quantity of water. Moreover, a system which checks whether the user is seated does not permit automatic flushing when the user is urinating while standing.

As an alternative to these systems it is also known to determine directly what passes into the area of the WC bowl, for example by means of visual image recognition, by means of ultrasonic sound using a change to reflection behavior if something is located in the WC bowl (per time of flight) or by means of a change in the electrical conductivity of the water in the WC bowl as a result of the adding of the electrolytes in the urine. This can provide more precise information about what has actually passed into the WC bowl than in the case of indirect determination as described at the beginning so that it is possible to meter the quantity of flushing water according to requirements. However, the high level of expenditure with respect to the sensor arrangement to be used is disadvantageous here, it being necessary, of course, to correspondingly encapsulate the sensor arrangement, and also make it able to be correspondingly cleaned, since it is arranged in the area of the bowl. Furthermore, such a system cannot be used universally since it has to be configured separately for each WC design because it is installed in the area of the bowl. Finally, image recognition of the contents of the bowl can also constitute an intrusion into the privacy of the user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is therefore based on the problem of specifying a sanitary installation which is improved in comparison with the above and which permits the quantity of flushing water to be metered in a way which is appropriate for the requirements.

In order to solve this problem, the invention provides that in a sanitary installation of the type mentioned at the beginning the control device for determining the position of a user or a body part of the user relative to the WC over time is configured on the basis of the sensor information and is configured to actuate the flushing apparatus with a variable quantity of flushing water as a function of the position progression plotted over time.

In the sanitary installation according to the invention, sensor information which specifies the position of the user or of a body part of the user (e.g. upper body or back, head or rear of head) relative to the WC, that is to say corresponding position data, is continuously recorded over time. This accordingly results in a position data progression over time, that is to say on the basis of the sensor information or position data a movement pattern of the user while he uses the WC is produced. This determined movement pattern is generally typical of the type of use, that is to say on the basis of the determined position progression or movement pattern it is possible to infer whether the user has only urinated or has also defecated.

This is based on the idea that irrespective of whether the user is seated or standing the following processes occur during WC use in all cases: approach, positioning at or in front of the WC, movement away from the WC. Furthermore, a movement of the user can be detected during which he is seated on the WC, specifically in particular when he makes a gripping movement in order to remove the toilet paper or use it. That is to say a series of differentiated movements occur, starting with the approach up to finally the movement away from the WC.

According to the invention, as described the position of the user or of the body part of the user, for example of the upper body, relative to the WC is then continuously determined, that is to say the sensor information supplies correspond position data which is recorded over time, starting with the approach up to the movement away. This chronological data accordingly results in a movement pattern or a movement sequence which is analyzed by the control device, in order to determine a correspondingly typical movement pattern for a specific type of use, in order then to correspondingly set or select the flushing quantity on the basis of this movement characteristic or the determined type of use.

Typical movement patterns are e.g.:

-   -   The user approaches the WC.     -   In the case of miction when standing up, the user stands in         front of the

WC and, for example, moves only to a fairly close distance, for example, from the sensor device which is installed a WC-side rear wall.

-   -   In the case of miction when sitting down or defecation, the user         sits on the WC, and therefore moves close to the sensor device         which is installed, for example, on the rear wall.     -   The sitting can occur either in a bent forward position or         upright position, as the user also frequently changes his upper         body position during a relatively long period of sitting.     -   If the user uses toilet paper, an agitated sitting behavior         occurs since the user inclines his upper body to one side or         turns in order to grasp the toilet paper, and significantly         changes his sitting position further when he cleans himself with         the toilet paper. Moreover, over the duration of this irregular         movement it is possible to discern whether the user uses a small         or large amount of toilet paper.     -   The duration of sitting is generally of different lengths—in the         case of pure miction the person is seated for a significantly         shorter time than in the case of defecation. Unnecessarily long         sitting can in turn be detected, for example, from the fact that         the duration of use of the toilet paper is only relatively short         so that it is possible in turn to infer miction from this.     -   Basically, in the case of defecation and the associated usually         relatively long duration of use there tends to be an overall         more agitated movement pattern than in the case of relatively         short miction.     -   The user moves away from the WC.

Solely on the basis of this non-exhaustive enumeration of different movement sequences within the use of the WC it is possible to discern that it can be inferred in relative detail, on the basis of the movement pattern which can be determined, what type the use was and whether urine, urine and toilet paper or feces and toilet paper have passed into the bowl. On the basis of the possibility of making a more detailed differentiation of the respective type of use it is then, however, also possible for the control device to plausibly decide whether flushing should be performed only briefly and with a small amount of flushing water, because the user only urinated, or, for example for a longer period or with somewhat more flushing water because the user has urinated and at the same time used toilet paper, or for a long time and with a large amount of flushing water because defecation with use of toilet paper has taken place.

That is to say that despite the use of indirect sensing of the position of the user or of a body part of the user, for example of the upper body or head, relatively precise determination of the type of use and of the content of the bowl is possible, so that a correspondingly correct metering of the flushing water is possible.

The sanitary installation according to the invention permits the quantity of flushing water to be varied as a function of the determined type of use. In this context, the WC can either be flushed with at least two quantities of flushing water which are defined but of different magnitudes. That is to say flushing can be performed with a small quantity of flushing water and a large quantity of flushing water. Flushing is only performed with a small amount of flushing water if it has been sensed that the user has only urinated, possibly also with toilet paper. Flushing is carried out with a large amount of flushing water if defecation took place. However, it is also, for example, conceivable to flush with three different quantities of flushing water, specifically a small quantity of flushing water if the user has only urinated, a somewhat larger quantity of flushing water if the user has urinated and used toilet paper, and a large quantity of flushing water if the user has defecated and used toilet paper.

As an alternative to flushing with defined quantities of flushing water it is, of course, also conceivable that the control device can select the selected quantity of flushing water in a variable fashion between a minimum quantity of flushing water and a maximum quantity of flushing water. This is because it can also easily be possible to configure the quantity of flushing water in different ways on the basis of the large amount of information which can be derived from the movement pattern.

In one development of the invention there can be provision that the control device is configured to compare the position information determined over time with use-specific reference information. That is to say ultimately the movement pattern which is determined from the position information or the position data is compared with reference movement patterns, in order to infer from this comparison the type of use which is assigned to the determined movement pattern. Each reference movement pattern is assigned a specific type of use to which in turn a specific quantity of flushing water to be selected is assigned. The corresponding quantity of flushing water is then metered as a function of the comparison and of the reference movement pattern which results as the best corresponding to the determined movement pattern. These reference information items or reference movement patterns are recorded for a large number of possible movement processes, starting with the approach up to the movement away, for different types of use, and stored at the control device end, for example in a lookup table or the like. In this context, the control device is also able to use suitable evaluation algorithms to detect repeating movements such as, for example, repeated extraction and use of toilet paper, and to assign a movement pattern to a reference pattern, even if the two patterns resulting, for example, from the frequency of the extraction and use of toilet paper diverge from one another over time. This means that the corresponding evaluation algorithm is able to detect correlations between the movement pattern and the reference pattern even if the patterns differ somewhat in the specific progression over time. The algorithm can be e.g. a neural network or the like.

The sensing of the type of use depends, as described, on continuous sensing of the position of the user himself/herself or a body part such as, for example, his/her upper body relative to the positionally fixed WC. The sensor device serves for this, as described. Said device is preferably a positionally fixed distance sensor owing to which the distance from the user or the body part can be determined as sensor information, and which distance sensor communicates with the control device. This positionally fixed distance sensor therefore continuously determines the position of the user relative to the likewise positionally fixed WC starting with the approach of the person to the WC from a specific minimum distance. In this way, it can then inevitably be precisely sensed whether the person is only standing in front of the WC during use and then moves away again, whether said person is seated, whether their upper body turns or tilts or moves in some other way, and whether the person then stands up again and moves away. This is because continuous changes in position are connected, which changes show a corresponding variation of the position information data and therefore of the movement pattern or of the progression of the movement curve which can be interpolated by means of the individual position information items or data items. The sensor device, that is to say in particular the distance sensor, can be arranged at different positions relative to the WC. Said sensor can be arranged to the side thereof, for example on a side wall which runs adjacent to the WC. Said sensor can preferably be arranged behind the WC and preferably there in a rear wall on which the WC is arranged. Finally, the sensor device can also be arranged above the WC, that is to say for example in the ceiling.

If the sensor device and, in particular, the distance sensor is arranged on a wall near to the WC, it is preferably arranged on a rear wall where it can either be installed directly on the wall or on a manual flush activation device arranged on a rear wall, or on the activation panel of said device.

That is to say overall there are different local arrangement possibilities for the sensor device and in particular the distance sensor. Installation on the rear wall and, in particular, arrangement of the sensor device or of the distance sensor in such a way that the sensor cannot be seen directly by the user or detected as such is preferred.

The sensor device and, in particular, the distance sensor itself can be an infrared sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, a radar sensor, a thermal radiation sensor such as a passive infrared sensor or a thermopile element or a capacitive sensor. When an infrared sensor, ultrasonic sensor or radar sensor is used, the sensing of position can be carried out, for example, by means of a time-of-flight measurement or by means of triangulation or else on an intensity basis. This means that different sensor devices can be used, with the enumeration not being conclusive.

Furthermore, it can be expedient to provide at least one further sensor device in the form of a capacitive sensor which is arranged on or in a WC seat or on the WC itself. This further sensor device ultimately constitutes a proximity sensor which permits the person to be sensed even if they are standing or seated near to the WC. This additional sensor device can supply additional sensor information which can serve, if appropriate, as a redundancy for the sensor information which is supplied via the distance sensor.

Moreover, by means of the sensor device or the further sensor device in the form of a proximity sensor it is also possible to sense whether after the end of the use of the toilet the user is still relatively close to the WC or whether he moves slowly away from the WC. If the user is still close to the WC, use should not occur. That is to say if the user is still located at less than a define threshold value away from the WC, the automatic flushing process can still be disabled on the basis of this further sensor information until the user has moved far enough away.

Modern sanitary installations also now have a WC-mounted bidet wash device which can be controlled by means of the control device or a further control device and which makes it possible to wash a body part of the user with water after use. This bidet wash device can be actuated by the user by activating an activation element. According to the invention, the control of the quantity of flushing water can then take place by taking into account the basic operation, the type of operation or the duration of the operation of the bidet wash device. That is to say the fact that the bidet wash device is used is included in the determination of the necessary quantity of flushing water. In this context, in the simplest way it is possible to take into account only whether the bidet wash device is basically operated or not. However, it is furthermore also possible to take into account the type of operation of the bidet wash device, that is to say whether it is to be used as an anal wash device or as a vaginal wash device. In the case of use as an anal wash device, it is to be assumed that defecation has occurred, and if only the vaginal wash device is used it can be assumed that only miction has occurred. Finally, it is, however, also possible to take into account the duration of the operation of the bidet wash device, since in the case of defecation washing will occur for longer than in the case of miction.

Finally according to the invention there can be provision that the automatic flushing can be disabled when a positioned progression which is atypical of a use of the WC is sensed by the control device. If the WC is cleaned, a person also approaches and moves away from the WC. The movement pattern differs, however, significantly from the typical movement pattern of the toilet being used. If the control device then determines such an atypical position progression or an atypical movement pattern, the automatic flushing process is basically disabled, since it is then certain that irregular use of the toilet is not occurring.

The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of the disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages, specific objects attained by its use, reference should be had to the drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated and described preferred embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 shows a basic illustration of three different partial figures which show the movement sequence during standing miction,

FIG. 2 shows a basic illustration of five different partial figures which show the movement sequence during miction with use of toilet paper or defecation with use of toilet paper,

FIG. 3 shows a diagram illustrating the position data progression and therefore the movement pattern for miction when standing,

FIG. 4 shows a diagram illustrating the position data progression or the movement pattern for miction when seated with use of toilet paper,

FIG. 5 shows a diagram illustrating the position data progression or movement pattern for defecation with use of toilet paper,

FIG. 6 shows a basic illustration of a sanitary installation according to a first embodiment,

FIG. 7 shows a basic illustration of a sanitary installation according to a second embodiment, and

FIG. 8 shows a basic illustration of a sanitary installation according to a third embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is in the form of three partial figures a), b) and c) showing the movement sequence of a person 1 while they approach a sanitary installation 2 according to the invention (partial figure a)), during the use of the sanitary installation 2 (partial figure b)) and as they move away from the sanitary installation 2 (partial figure c)). In the partial figure a) the person approaches the sanitary installation 2 comprising a WC 3. The sanitary installation 2 will be described in more detail below with reference to the corresponding drawings. In every case, the sanitary installation 2 comprises a sensor device 4 with a positionally fixed distance sensor, with an assigned control device, wherein distance of the person 1 from the WC 3 is sensed continuously by means of the distance sensor, starting from a specific distance threshold. The sensor device or the distance sensor is arranged on a rear wall of the WC 3 or on an activation panel which is installed there and permits manual flushing. Said sensor device or distance sensor is arranged in such a way that it senses the back or the rear part of the head of the person 1 when they are seated, but also when the person 1 is standing.

The person 1 therefore approaches the WC 3 as shown in the partial figure c), which brings about a running change in position relative to the WC 3 and therefore to the distance sensor. When the desired position is reached, the person 1 remains standing in front of the WC 3 and urinates in a standing position, see partial figure b). During this time, the position of the person 1 relative to the WC 3 remains virtually constant, which is also sensed by means of the distance sensor.

After the ending of the use, the person 1 moves away from the WC 3 again, as is shown in partial figure c). This movement also in turn brings about a change in position, which is sensed by means of the distance sensor.

While FIG. 1 shows a movement example of standing miction, FIG. 2 shows five partial FIGS. 5a )-e) of a movement example of either miction in a seated position or of defecation, in the movement patterns if the two different types of use partially overlap.

In the partial figure a), the person 1 again approaches the sanitary installation 2 or the WC 3, which is sensed in turn by means of the sensor device 4 in the form of the distance sensor.

When an end position is reached, the person 1 will turn around and sit down, as shown in partial figure b). If the person 1 only urinates, they will briefly sit on the WC 3 and their position will not change significantly in the process. Usually, a person sits on the WC either slightly bent forward or more or less upright, with this position being largely maintained during the miction which lasts for a relatively short time.

However, if the person 1 defecates, they will maintain partial figure b) in terms of their position for a relatively long time. During this time, there may be frequent changes in position, that is to say the upper body is sometimes bent forward or moved to an upright position relatively frequently. The person sometimes also passes their time by reading as they use the toilet. In this context, this reading can, however, also occur during miction, which prolongs the process of use.

Once the person has ended the miction or defecation, in the example shown according to partial figure c) they grasp toilet paper 20 in order to clean themselves, wherein the cleaning process is shown in partial figure d). In the case of miction, this cleaning process according to c) and d) will usually take place only once, and after defecation more frequently, that is to say the processes repeat several times according to the partial figures c) and d).

After the cleaning process has ended, the person 1 stands up again and moves away from the WC 3, as is illustrated in turn in partial figure e).

All these movement processes are in turn sensed by means of the distance sensor. The distance of the person 1 from the WC 3 reduces as they approach until they have reached the end position and sat down. If it is assumed that the person for whom, depending on their body size, the position of the head or of the upper body relative to the WC is sensed while sitting by means of the distance sensor and their position is maintained during use, the position is hardly changed during the use process according to partial figure b). However, if it is assumed that the person relatively frequently bends forward and assumes an upright position again, corresponding changes in position in turn occur during the sensing of the position of the head, which is in turn sensed by means of the recorded position data in the course of the process.

For the person to take toilet paper in turn requires a change in position, and the person will incline to the side with their upper body and possibly also bend somewhat forward in order to grip the toilet paper. This movement can also be by means of the distance sensor installed on the rear wall.

The same also applies to the cleaning process according to partial figure d), for which purpose the person inclines with their upper body to the rear in the direction of the rear wall, as shown. The distance from the distance sensor on the rear wall changes again, which is in turn depicted by means of the acquired position data.

If the actions according to c) and d) occur repeatedly, repeating position progressions occur over a certain time.

If the person then stands up and moves away, the distance inevitably increases again, which is also represented by means of corresponding position data.

By means of the sensor device 4 of the sanitary installation 2 in the form of the distance sensor which, as described, is preferably arranged on a rear wall on which the WC 3 is mounted, the position of the person 1 or of a body part such as, in particular, the upper body or head relative to the WC 3 is continuously determined as described over time, that is to say a large quantity of data is collected over time, which data can be output as a curve and shows the position progression and therefore a corresponding movement pattern for the preceding use process. A first example of such sensor information progression or position data progression is shown in FIG. 3. The time t is plotted along the abscissa, the distance of the person from the distance sensor along the ordinate, and said distance sensor is positionally fixed, as is also the WC 3, the position of the person relative to the WC 3 is therefore also positionally fixed. As assumed, the distance sensor is positioned vertically in such a way that it picks up essentially the upper body area or abdominal area of the person approaching the WC 3.

The person approaches the WC 3, wherein when a threshold distance d_(s) is reached the sensor device picks up the corresponding distance information and the control device receives this and processes it. The data collection starts at the time t₁. The person 1 is still approaching the WC 3 at the time t₂, and the distance decreases relatively quickly, see curve branch I. At the time t₂, said person reaches an end position and stops, which is apparent from the curve K, when the distance value d then has a virtually constant profile, as is illustrated in the curve branch II. This is due to the fact that the person 1 remains stationary in front of the WC 3 and urinates in a standing position. This use process continues to point t₃. The urination process is ended and the person 1 turns around again and moves away from the WC 3, which in turn causes the distance values d to increase again relatively strongly, see curve branch III, until the threshold distance d_(s) is in turn reached and the distance measurement is ended. A the time t₄, the distance is in turn greater than d_(s), and the distance measurement is ended.

In FIG. 3, the corresponding partial figures from FIG. 1 are assigned to the different curve branches I, II, Ill.

A movement progression which is typical for this type of WC use and is depicted in the form of the movement pattern plotted against the curve K is then obtained.

The control device of the sanitary installation 2 is then able to sense and analyze this position progression and therefore the movement pattern and compare them with reference data or reference patterns, in order to determine exactly the movement process which has taken place and therefore the use process and to sense how large the quantity of flushing water with which automatic flushing will be carried out after the use is to be. The reference movement patterns are assigned corresponding quantities of flushing water, wherein after the definition of the corresponding reference pattern or determination, according to curve K, of what type of use was then occurring, the control device selects the assigned flushing pattern, that is to say correspondingly defines the quantity of flushing water. In this case, since the movement pattern or curve K indicated standing miction, only a small quantity of flushing water is required.

Furthermore, FIG. 3 shows a distance value d_(sit). This distance value which is indicated only by way of example here specifies the distance from which a person is definitely sitting on the WC. If the distance d<d_(sit) is the case, it is ensured that the person has sat down on the WC. According to FIG. 3 this is, however, not actually the case, for which reason all of the measured distance or position values are d>d_(sit).

An example of seated use is shown in the curve progression according to FIG. 4, wherein only seated miction with use of toilet paper is shown here.

The person 1 in turn approaches the WC 3 and reaches a distance corresponding to the threshold value d_(s) at the time t₁. When the person approaches further, as is illustrated by the steep curve branch I, the person 1 approaches the WC 3 more closely. The distance value d drops significantly, and also drops significantly below d_(sit), that is to say below the minimum distance from which sitting is to be assumed. The person then sits down, which occurs at the time t₂, wherein, as the curve branch II shows, the person maintains this position for a certain time up to the time t₃. In the curve branch II the actual WC use takes places. From the time t₃, the curve K exhibits a somewhat agitated progression in the curve branch III, which is connected to the fact that the person 1 inclines one or more times to the side in order to grasp toilet paper and to the rear in order to clean himself/herself. This is associated with relatively clear and repeated movement of the upper body, which is sensed again by means of the distance sensor and gives rise to the unsteady curve progression in the curve branch III. At the time t₄, the cleaning process is ended and the person stands up and moves away from the WC again, as is illustrated in the curve branch IV. At the time t₅, the person is again far enough away so that the distance measurement can be ended.

This also therefore results in an unambiguous movement pattern which can be assigned to a specific use process and movement process, plotted against the curve K which results in turn from the sensor information and position information.

FIG. 5 finally shows a diagram which shows the position progression and therefore the movement pattern for defecation with use of toilet paper. The person 1 again approaches the WC 3. When the distance threshold value d_(s) is reached, the sensing of the distance and position starts at the time t₁. The person 1 quickly moves closer, turns around and sits down on the WC, as is shown by the progression of the curve branch I. This branch drops away steeply and the distance values d undershoot the distance d_(sit), which shows that seated use is definitely occurring. The sitting down process is concluded starting from the time t₂. The person maintains their sitting position for a long time up to the time t₃. During this time, the person 1 maintains, for example, the forward-bent position, as is shown in the partial figure assigned to the curve branch II. Compared with FIG. 4, where the person is seated upright in the curve branch II (see the partial figure there) and where the distance value d is significantly below the value d_(sit), in the exemplary case according to FIG. 5 the distance value d in the curve branch II is only slightly below the value d_(sit), since the position of the upper body is, as said, bent forward. Of course, the person 1 can also change this position during the sitting process and adopt an upright position with the upper body, which is shown by the dashed curve sections K₁ in FIG. 5. Through the adoption of an upright position, the distance value and accordingly the position of the person is somewhat o reduced, and the curve would drop away downward and rise again when they bend forward again.

After the ending of the use, the forward-bent person 1 would adopt an upright position again at the time t₃, and the upper body bends closer to the rear wall and therefore to the distance sensor, and the position of the upper body or of the body part in turn changes significantly with respect to the WC, resulting in the reducing distance value d. In the curve branch III, the curve K accordingly drops away significantly. This is followed in turn by an unsteady area in the curve branch III in which the person 1 grasps repeatedly for the toilet paper and cleans himself/herself, that is to say there are multiple position changing processes, in particular in the area of the upper body, which is in turn sensed by the significantly varying distance value d, as is shown by the curve branch III.

At the time t₄, the cleaning process is ended. The person stands up again and moves away from the WC, wherein at the time t₅ said person is far enough away and the collection of data is ended.

In all the exemplary cases shown, which are of course no conclusive, after the ending of the use, that is to say when the person 1 is far enough away from the WC 3, the initiation of an automatic flushing process occurs, controlled by means of the control device, which, for example, actuates a valve by which the outlet of a flushing water tank can be opened and closed. Depending on whether flushing is now to be carried out with a small amount, greater amount or a very large amount of flushing water, the valve remains opened for a correspondingly long time. Therefore, it is possible to meter the quantity of flushing water according to requirements in accordance with the actual type of use and therefore with the type of objects which are located in the WC bowl and are to be flushed away.

FIGS. 3-5 clearly show three different progressions of the position data curve K and therefore different movement patterns or movement progressions which are specific to a particular type of use. On the basis of the recorded sensor information, that is to say the position data and therefore the movement patterns resulting therefrom, it is then possible for the control device to precisely detect what type of use process it was, in order then to correspondingly set the quantity of flushing water. While only a small quantity of flushing water is necessary for standing miction according to FIG. 3, in the case of miction with use of toilet paper according to FIG. 4 somewhat more flushing water is necessary, in order to flush away the toilet paper also. In the case of defecation, as illustrated in FIG. 5, a maximum quantity of flushing water is necessary.

The control device can, however, receive and process not only the acquired sensor information of the sensor device, that is to say of the distance sensor, but also sensor information of one or more further sensors which are installed, for example, in or on the WC seat or on the WC seat itself and which are embodied as proximity sensors or capacitive sensors. This sensor information can be used as redundant information. That is to say an additional comparison of the acquired distance sensor information can be carried out by means of said information. It is also sensed, by means of such an, for example WC-mounted proximity sensor, whether the person is far enough away from the WC in order to initiate the automatic flushing process, which in fact should be initiated only when the person is far enough away.

Information relating to the use of a bidet wash device, which serves as a douche for intimate cleaning and which is installed in the WC can also be included in the determination of the quantity of flushing water. The activation of such a bidet wash device can already be considered to be an indication that defecation takes place. Further subdivision in terms of miction or defecation can be carried out in respect of whether the bidet wash device is used as a pure vaginal bidet wash, which allows miction to be inferred, or as an anal bidet wash, which allows defecation to be inferred. This information can also be used and processed as additional information which is, under certain circumstances, also redundant or serves for checking plausibility, in addition to the position and distance information.

FIG. 6 shows a more detailed form of a sanitary installation 2 according to the invention with a WC 3 as well as a flushing device 5 which is not shown in more detail but is illustrated in FIG. 7, comprising a water tank 6, which is installed behind a rear wall 7. The rear wall 7 is shown in FIG. 6, while the water tank 6 is illustrated without a rear wall in FIG. 7. An activation panel 8, on which in the example shown the sensor device 4 is arranged in the form of a distance sensor 9, is arranged on the rear wall. The integration of the sensor device 4 in the activation panel 8 is expedient to the effect that when the activation panel 8 is installed the sensor device 4 is also automatically mounted in the correct position. One or more pushbuttons (not shown in more detail) are also provided for manual flushing on the activation panel 8.

Alternative positions for the arrangement of the sensor device 4 or of the distance sensor 9 are shown by way of example by means of dashes in FIG. 6. The distance sensor 9 can be installed, for example, at different positions on the rear wall 7 or on the ceiling. In any case it is to be arranged in such a way that, as has been shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the person 1 can be sensed in any position.

Furthermore, a control device 10 which is shown here only by dashed lines because it is installed on the rear side is arranged on the activation panel 8. This control device 10 controls the flushing operation, that is to say controls how much water flows out of the water tank 6 for flushing into the WC. The control device 10 is also preferably arranged on the attachment panel 8, since when the attachment panel 8 is installed the control device 10 is then also installed. Alternatively, it can also be mounted on the water tank 6. Furthermore, alternatively in the drawing shown by dashed lines, there is of course also the possibility, similarly to the distance sensor 9, of also installing the control device 10 on or behind the rear wall 7.

Furthermore, in the exemplary embodiment shown two further sensor devices 11 are optionally arranged by way of example on a seat 12 of the WC 3, wherein the sensor devices 11 can be, for example, capacitive sensors, that is to say proximity sensors, which do not require any direct contact. Accordingly, it is sensed here at two positions whether a person has sat down on the seat 12 or for how long said person sits. If just one further sensor device 11 is used, it can be arranged on a side section of the seat 12, as is also shown by dashed lines in FIG. 6. As is also communicated by the distance sensor 9, the further sensor device 11 or devices 11 of course also communicate with the control device 10, as is also described below.

Furthermore, a bidet wash device 13 is provided on the WC 3, said bidet wash device 13 comprising an extendable bidet wash lance 14 (shown here only by dashed lines) which serves as a bidet wash for intimate wet cleaning. The bidet wash operation is controlled by means of a control device 15 which also communicates with the control device 10. However, the presence of such a bidet wash device 13 is only optional and not compulsory.

FIG. 7 shows, as described, the sanitary installation 2 from FIG. 6 but without a rear wall. In the example shown, the distance sensor is arranged only with dashed lines, since it is arranged on the activation panel 8 which is not shown here. However, the control device 10 is illustrated, said device communicating with the distance sensor 9 and being illustrated mounted here at a position behind the activation panel 8 on the water tank 6. Alternatively, it could also be attached, as described, to the rear side of the activation panel.

It is clear that, as shown by the dashed connecting lines, the control device 10 communicates not only with the distance sensor 9 and also with the further WC-seat-mounted sensor device 11, wherein just one lateral sensor device 11 is shown here, and with a control device 15 of the bidet wash device 13. The control device 10 therefore receives, as already described above, a series of information items, whether of position information of the distance sensor 9, provided here in the form of distance measured values, whether position information, provided by means of the further sensor device 11 and which specify whether a person is seated on the WC 3, or whether information from the control device 15 which informs about the operation of the bidet wash device 13.

The control device 10 then processes this information correspondingly and produces a corresponding movement profile or movement pattern therefrom, as described with respect to FIGS. 1-5, in order to use them to determine how the WC use occurred. On this basis the flushing operation is controlled and, in particular, the metering of the quantity of flushing water is carried out.

For this purpose, a valve device 16, which in the example shown is an electrically controllable valve which can be opened and closed by actuation by means of the control device 10, is provided on the water tank 6. When the valve is opened, flushing water flows into the bowl 18 of the WC 3 via a flushing line 17. Depending on how long the control device 10 keeps the valve device 16 open, more or less flushing water is output, so that the demand-dependent control of the quantity of flushing water can be easily carried out in this way. The control device can be configured in such a way that it actuates only two or three different defined quantities of flushing water to be output, that is to say e.g. a small amount, a medium amount, a large amount, or it can vary the quantity as desired between minimum and maximum in accordance with the demand.

Here, e.g. only automatic flushing is possible, but not manual. If manual flushing were possible, the flushing button which is arranged on the activation panel would be coupled to the valve device 16, so that the electric valve is actuated when manual activation occurs.

FIG. 8 shows a refinement of a sanitary installation 2 which corresponds to that from FIG. 7. In this refinement, a valve device 16 is provided which operates in a purely mechanical fashion and which can be opened and closed manually by the user by means of a flushing button which is provided on the activation panel 8. That is to say manual flushing is possible as is customary with a standard flushing tank or a standard WC.

In order to additionally permit automatic flushing, a possible way must be provided of opening and closing the mechanical valve device 16 under the control of the control device 10. For this purpose, a servomotor 19 is provided which is actuated via the control device 10 and is able to open and close the mechanical valve device 16. Accordingly, a demand-appropriate quantity of flushing water can also be output in this way under the control of the control device 10.

Even though a bidet wash device 13 and one or more further sensor devices 11 are shown, as described, in the figures, they are not absolutely necessary. Instead, the sanitary installation 2 according to the invention can also carry out the automatic flushing only supported solely on the sensor information of the distance sensor 9, that is to say only its measured values are input into the determination of the type of use and no measuring or operating information which is additional or redundant or which serves for plausibility checking is taken into account.

The distance sensor 9 can be an infrared sensor. Alternatively, an ultrasonic sensor or a radar sensor can also be used. These systems can determine the detection of the position of the user relative to the WC by means of a time-of-flight measurement or triangulation, or the control device 10 is correspondingly configured for this purpose. Alternatively, a thermal radiation sensor in the form of a passive infrared sensor can also be used.

A capacitive sensor is preferably arranged as a further sensor device either in the WC seat 12 or directly on the WC 3, that is to say the ceramic.

Finally, it is to be noted that even though in FIGS. 6-8 the distance sensor 9 and the control device 10 are respectively arranged on or behind the activation panel 8, it is, of course, possible also to arrange the distance sensor 9 and the control device 10 externally with respect to the activation panel 8, preferably on the rear wall or, insofar as the distance sensor 9 is concerned, if appropriate also on the ceiling.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described in detail to illustrate the inventive principles, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles. 

I claim:
 1. A sanitary installation comprising a sanitary object in the form of a WC and a flushing apparatus which can be actuated by means of a control device with at least one assigned sensor device for automatic flushing as a function of at least one sensor information item, wherein the control device is configured to determine the position of a user or of a body part of the user relative to the WC over time on the basis of the sensor information and to actuate the flushing process with a variable quantity of flushing water as a function of the position progression plotted over time.
 2. The sanitary installation according to claim 1, wherein the WC can be flushed with at least two quantities of flushing water which are defined but of different magnitudes or with a quantity of flushing water which can be adjusted as desired between a minimum quantity and a maximum quantity of flushing water.
 3. The sanitary installation according to claim 1, wherein the control device is configured to compare the position information determined over time with use-specific reference information.
 4. The sanitary installation according to claim 1, wherein at least one position-fixed distance sensor is provided as the sensor device, by means of which distance sensor the distance from the user or the body part can be determined as sensor information, and which distance sensor communicates with the control device.
 5. The sanitary installation according to claim 1, wherein the sensor device, in particular the distance sensor, is arranged to the side of, behind or above the WC.
 6. The sanitary installation according to claim 5, wherein the sensor device, in particular the distance sensor, is arranged on a wall near to the WC, in particular a rear wall, a manual flush activation device which is arranged on the wall, in particular on the rear wall, or a ceiling.
 7. The sanitary installation according to claim 1, wherein the sensor device, in particular the distance sensor, is an infrared sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, a radar sensor, a thermal radiation sensor or a capacitive sensor.
 8. The sanitary installation according to claim 1, wherein at least one further sensor device is provided in the form of a capacitive sensor which is arranged on or in a WC seat or on the WC itself.
 9. The sanitary installation according to claim 1, wherein a WC-mounted bidet wash device is provided which can be controlled by means of the control device or a further control device and can be actuated by the user by activating an activation element, wherein the quantity of flushing water is controlled by taking into account the basic operation, the type of operation or duration of operation of the bidet wash device.
 10. The sanitary installation according to claim 1, wherein the automatic flushing can be disabled when a position progression which is atypical of use of the WC is sensed by the control device. 